Disney Prices, Execs' Salaries Okay

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I am getting sick and tired of reading complaints from letter writers about how much tickets cost at Walt Disney World and the high earnings of Disney officers.

I agree that admission prices are high, but what isn't today? By any standard, excellent value is given for the price of the ticket to Disney World or people wouldn't go.

As to the salaries of Michael Eisner and Frank Wells, chairman and president, respectively, of the Disney organization. I'm sure they earned it. I don't know either of these gentlemen, other than from what appears in the news media. If they are anything like the corporate executives I've worked for, they earn their money twice over.

I'm retired as manager of budgets and financial planning for the Hughes Aircraft Co. I say that Eisner's and Wells' creative business genius has turned Disney around, they have fought off takeover attempts, worked long hours, under stress and have made many tough decisions to the benefit of the Disney Corp., the employees and the stockholders.

That's capitalism in action. I wouldn't have it any other way, and I certainly don't begrudge the fact that they make more than I do.

Disney is a super neighbor to this area and has contributed handsomely to many local projects too numerous to mention here. Also, it has added much to the economy in the Orlando area. Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse has been a tremendous world ambassador for peace and happiness and also has helped to put Orlando on the map.

Disney World does have discounted tickets for local citizens from time to time during the year.

Unfortunately, inflation has taken its toll and as much as we would like to see it happen, I hardly believe that we will see reductions in the prices of anything, including tickets to Walt Disney World.